… Calls on FG’s intervention
A concerned Nigerian and frequent flyer, Henry Balogun, has labelled the action of international airline Virgin Atlantic to impose a cash-only policy for its inflight shopping on Lagos route as discriminatory, an indictment on Nigeria’s global image and sending a wrong message to the whole world.
This is even as he called on the Federal Government to take the issue up with the airline.
Balogun took to his Facebook page to raise awareness on this perceived injustice. He reiterated his misgivings to TCN in a subsequent telephone interview.
In his words, “It’s amazing Virgin Atlantic has had a specific clause under the small print in its Retail Therapy inflight shopping guide (Page 135 of current edition: Lagos Flights are cash only – no cards are accepted.” (For in-flight shopping). I strongly believe the Federal Government should take this up with Virgin. It is an indictment on our global image. Why single out Lagos? We all know the answer. But it’s totally unacceptable. A National indictment for the proclivities of a few?”he stated.
He further went on to lament that the decision of the airline was capable of sending a wrong message to the world about Nigeria.
“What message is this company we all love so much sending to the whole world’ he lamented.
According to the latest edition of the airline’s inflight shopping guide, Retail Flight, the airline singled out its Lagos route for a cash-only policy.
“We accept the following cards, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Diner’s Club, JCB. Cards are for orders up to $550 for pre-orders while an alternative card to be accepted for an additional 550 for pre-orders. Passports are required for all purchases. We do not accept personal cheque, Solo, Electron, Revolut or any prepaid currency cards. Cash is accepted on some routes. Lagos flights are cash only, no cards are accepted” the company stated.
Efforts to reach Virgin Atlantic’s Public Relations office online proved abortive as messages sent by email were not responded to.
